Public Statements

Ryan Statement on the State of the Union Address

Statement

In response to President Obama's State of the Union address, Congressman Paul Ryan issued the following statement:

"Last year, the American people chose divided government. So this year, both parties have to make it work. We need to make progress on real solutions. We need to strengthen our economy. And we need to create jobs--because if we don't, we'll have a diminished future.

"We need to balance the budget. Otherwise, we'll provoke a debt crisis. Our finances will collapse. The economy will stall. And the most vulnerable will suffer. Instead, we have to budget responsibly--so we can expand opportunity for everyone in this country.

"I'm concerned the President doesn't fully appreciate the challenge of our national debt--and its threat to our economy. Tonight, he outlined many new programs in detail. But when it came to spending restraint, he was remarkably brief. He overstated his administration's success on this front. And he downplayed the task before us.

"This isn't a partisan issue. It's math. Over the last four years, the national debt grew by $6 trillion, the largest increase of any presidency. But the President hasn't changed course. For the fourth time in five years, he's failed to submit a budget on time. And Senate Democrats haven't passed a budget in nearly four years.

"This spring, House Republicans will offer a budget--on time--as we have in the past two years. If the President wants to work together, he'll find a willing partner in House Republicans. But he needs to get serious about the challenges ahead."